Turbomachine Seal Support Segmentation for Weight and Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing turbomachine designs face challenges with seal assembly time, weight increase, and safety risks due to the need for a heavy support platform and potential loss of seal integrity upon platform damage, particularly in maintaining leak tightness and preventing oil leaks that could ignite.
Innovation Solution
A connection arrangement between a circular shell and a radial structural arm featuring a distinct, lightweight seal support with elastic attachment cleats and metallic construction, where the seal support is separate from the platform and retained using existing attachment means, ensuring the seal's permanence even if the platform is damaged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heavy support platform is used to hold the seal, then the seal is securely retained, but the weight of the platform significantly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support platform is segmented into a modular structure with a central hub and radial arms that connect to the seal. This segmentation allows the seal support function to be distributed across multiple lighter components rather than requiring a single heavy platform, reducing overall weight while maintaining secure seal retention through the distributed support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal support function is extracted from the main platform structure and implemented as a separate, dedicated seal support assembly. This allows the platform to be optimized for its primary structural function while the seal support assembly is optimized specifically for seal retention, enabling both functions to use lighter, more efficient designs rather than requiring an oversized platform to handle both roles.
2Reliability
If a seal support integrated with the platform is used, then the seal is held in place, but the platform design becomes complex and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal support is segmented into distinct functional elements including a support body, retention features, and mounting interfaces that are separate from the main platform. This segmentation simplifies the platform design by isolating the seal support complexity into a dedicated assembly that can be designed and manufactured independently, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining reliable seal positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal support functionality is extracted as a separate assembly from the platform structure. This extraction allows the platform to maintain a simple, clean design focused on its primary structural and aerodynamic functions, while the seal support assembly handles the complexity of seal retention and positioning, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If a deposition seal is used to maintain leak tightness, then the seal is formed along the clearance, but assembly time is extended due to waiting for the material to set
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is extracted from the deposition process and implemented as a separate, pre-formed seal component that is mechanically installed into the clearance space. This extraction eliminates the need to wait for deposition material to set, as the pre-formed seal can be quickly positioned and secured using the seal support assembly, significantly reducing assembly time while maintaining leak tightness through the mechanical seal design.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is implemented as a replaceable, pre-formed component rather than a permanent deposition. This allows the seal to be quickly installed and, if necessary, replaced without complex removal processes or waiting for material to set. The seal support assembly provides a simple mechanical retention system that enables rapid installation and replacement, reducing assembly time while maintaining effective leak tightness.
4Productivity
If the seal is held by a large lip support, then assembly is faster, but the platform weight significantly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal support is segmented into a lightweight structure with a central support body and radial arms that provide the necessary retention without requiring a large, heavy lip. This segmented design maintains fast assembly through simple mechanical retention while using minimal material to achieve the required strength, significantly reducing the weight compared to a large lip support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal support utilizes thin-walled, flexible structural elements that provide sufficient retention force for the seal while minimizing material usage and weight. The flexible arms and retention features can be designed with thin cross-sections that are lightweight yet maintain the necessary mechanical properties for seal retention, achieving fast assembly without the weight penalty of a large lip support.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces assembly time, minimizes weight, and maintains seal integrity by using a lightweight, flexible seal support that remains effective even if the platform is compromised, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the attachment cleats are elastic and can extend along a dotted line
Implementation Method 2
a seal present in the annular space and placed on the shell and forced into contact with the rim thus closing off a clearance between the rim and the shell
Data Source
AI summary
A seal (13) closing off a clearance (9) between one end in the form of a bowl (7) of an arm (4) and a circular shell (1) of a turbomachine is compressed between the rim (8) of the bowl by a support (14) distinct from the platform (10) delimiting the gas flow stream (5) and retained by screws (11) already present to fix the platform to the shell (1). The layout is lighter in weight and the resistance of seal does not depend on the platform (10) exposed to damage.